Call for Tánaiste to apologise after 'out of order' comments on Donegal's dereliction efforts
Two Inishowen councillors have defended Donegal County Council’s record after the Tánaiste criticised local authorities’ handling of dereliction.
Two Donegal county councillors have rejected the claims made by the Tánaiste Simon Harris regarding local authorities not doing enough to tackle dereliction.
Describing the Tánaiste's remarks as "out of order" and "absolutely disgraceful", the Inishowen councillors defended Donegal County Council's record and argued its work in bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use should be recognised rather than criticised.
Mr Harris, in his role as Minister for Finance, updated Cabinet last month on plans to introduce a new Revenue-administered Derelict Property Tax across 107 cities and towns. He said he was angry and frustrated that some local authorities had "not done enough" to address dereliction and indicated that responsibility for collecting the tax would move from councils to the Revenue Commissioners.
South Inishowen Fianna Fáil councillor Fionán Bradley said the Tánaiste's comments ignored the significant progress being made in Donegal.
"I think it's absolutely disgraceful. It's just more proof of how out of touch Simon Harris and Fine Gael are. In Donegal, we are top of the class in relation to vacancy.
“We've spent €23 million revitalising 1,400 or 1,500 properties that have been brought back into use. These were properties that were lying idle and could have been used for accommodation, but weren't. So I think it was terribly unfair of the Tánaiste to make that remark."
Cllr Bradley believes the Tánaiste's comments were politically motivated. "I think it was purely political because you can see the progress that the current Minister for Housing, James Browne, has made in relation to housing statistics.”
“Again, in County Donegal, we have the highest number of social houses under construction ever, since records began, at any one time in the county.”
"I would say that Simon Harris can see that progress. He may be starting to panic a little bit in relation to housing, and that was just low-hanging fruit and a low shot. I do actually think it's one that he should apologise for."
Despite his criticism of Mr Harris's comments, Cllr Bradley said he supported the proposed new Derelict Property Tax.
“It's terribly unfair for people to own properties, especially in the main towns and on the thoroughfares, that are lying idle and unsightly.”
"The Tidy Towns committees in every town and village do so much great work, and for organisations like that it's a real kick in the teeth to have these buildings in the heart of our towns that are left run down."
South Inishowen Sinn Féin councillor Jack Murray also defended the council's efforts, accusing the Government of attempting to shift responsibility for the housing crisis.
"I think Simon Harris was very out of order in doing that and trying to blame local authorities for his own Government's failure."
"I'd have to give Donegal County Council a lot of praise. They have issued the most Vacant Property Refurbishment Grants in the State. As you drive around Buncrana, you can see so many houses being brought back into life, and I think it's great to see."
Cllr Murray said he had personal experience of the grant scheme.
"I'm a person who has availed of it myself, and it's fantastic to see that work. Rather than getting blamed, the council should be commended for the work they're doing with derelict homes."
The first phase of the Derelict Property Tax will apply to properties in urban areas with populations of more than 4,000 people. In Donegal, this will apply to Letterkenny, Ballybofey-Stranorlar and Buncrana.
After the initial rollout, a second phase will extend the measure to towns with populations exceeding 2,000, bringing Carndonagh, Donegal Town, Bundoran and Ballyshannon within its scope.
The Tánaiste said the primary objective of the new tax is to encourage behavioural change and support the revitalisation of communities by bringing long-term derelict buildings back into productive use.
Figures obtained by RTÉ's Prime Time show Donegal County Council did not issue any Compulsory Purchase Orders on derelict buildings between 2021 and 2024. Department of Housing data also shows Donegal was among six local authorities that did not levy any registered derelict properties during that period.
Meanwhile, figures from the Geo Directory show housing dereliction remained relatively high in Donegal last year, with 2,279 units identified as derelict.